Release Detail

October 1, 2003 - President Bush Plummets To New Low In New York,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Gen. Clark Is The New Top Gun, Leading Dems And Bush

New York State voters have sent President George W. Bush's approval plummeting to its
lowest rating ever, 42 - 53 percent, as several Democratic contenders now beat the
Republican incumbent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

President Bush had a 52 - 42 percent approval rating in New York State in a June
26 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. Bush's
previous low was a 44 - 47 percent approval in New York State in June, 2001.

Gen. Wesley Clark tops Bush in New York 48 - 41 percent in the 2004 face-off.
Other Democratic contenders have gained on Bush since the June 26 survey:

"Talk about a turn-around. The New York poll numbers have flip-flopped. They
look more like a rerun of the 2000 election than the last poll," said Maurice Carroll
director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"This is the first time we find more than half of the voters in any of the four states
surveyed by Quinnipiac University do not approve of President Bush, and the first time
we see him trailing Democratic candidates," Carroll added.

By a 68 - 23 percent margin, New York State voters expect the Democratic
candidate to carry the state in '04. But voters split on whether Bush will carry the
nation, with 44 percent for Bush and 42 percent for the Democrat.

"New York voters expect deja vu all over again: They see a Democratic romp in
New York, but they're not sure how it will go nationally," Carroll said.

If Sen. Clinton runs for President, she is the favorite of 38 percent of Democrats,
followed by:

13 percent for Clark;

12 percent for Dean;

9 percent for Lieberman;

7 percent for Kerry.

With Clinton out of the race, Clark leads the pack with 18 percent of Democrats,
with Dean at 17 percent, a tie. Other candidates are closely packed, with:

13 percent Lieberman;

12 percent for Kerry;

6 percent each for Rev. Al Sharpton and former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun;

5 percent for Gephardt, half his previous tally.

No other Democrat tops 4 percent and undecided gets 16 percent.

"Is Gen. Clark the real deal or the flavor of the month? In this snapshot, he's a
top choice of New York Democrats, unless favorite daughter Hillary Clinton throws her
Yankee cap into the ring," Carroll said.

From September 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,201 New York State
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent. The survey includes 454
Democrats, with a margin of error of 4.6 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his
job as President?

9. Now I'm going to name ten Democrats who might run for president in 2004.
After I read all ten names, tell me which one you would most like to see the
Democrats nominate for president in 2004. Here are the choices...
Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Missouri
Congressman Dick Gephardt, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, former Vermont
Governor Howard Dean, the Reverend Al Sharpton, Florida Senator Bob Graham,
former Illinois Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich
or General Wesley Clark?

10. Suppose New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton decides to run for
president in 2004. Who would you most like to see the Democrats nominate
for president in 2004? -- New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton,
Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Missouri
Congressman Dick Gephardt, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, former Vermont
Governor Howard Dean, the Reverend Al Sharpton, Florida Senator Bob Graham,
former Illinois Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich
or retired General Wesley Clark?

20. As you may know the 2004 Republican national convention will be held
in New York City. Does this make you more likely to vote for Bush for
President, less likely to vote for Bush, or doesn't it affect your vote
for President?